Pearl-spotted Owlet
Pearl-spotted OwletPearl-spotted OwletPearl-spotted OwletPearl-spotted Owlet

Pearl-spotted Owlet

Glaucidium perlatum

Silhouette: Edwin Price · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Nairobi National Park
57 Verified sightings at Nairobi National Park From 2019 to 2026
4,869 Verified sightings across all 39 parks From 2019 to 2026
July Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Pearl-spotted Owlet

The pearl-spotted owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) is a small bird of prey found in sub-Saharan Africa. They belong to the Strigidae family, otherwise known as the typical owls or the true owls, which contains most species of owl. As part of the genus Glaucidium, or pygmy owls, they are commonly referred to as 'owlets' due to their diminutive size. Pearl-spotted owlets are brownish and heavily spotted white, with two distinct black false 'eyes' at the back of their head. They are often confused with an African barred owlet.

The pearl-spotted owlet is one of the smallest owls in Africa with a length of 17 to 21 cm. The females are slightly larger and heavier (100g) than the males (65g). Both males and females have similar plumage colouration. The facial disc is off-white and the eyes are yellow. At the back of the head there are two striking false black 'eyes' with a white outline. The upper parts are cinnamon-brown with white spots. The tail and flight feathers are brown, with large white spots forming bars in flight. The bill and cere are pale greenish yellow, the legs are feathered white and feet are yellow. Juveniles are similar to adults but the head and back spots... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Nairobi National Park

Marsh Owl
LC

Marsh Owl

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Asio capensis

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Verreaux's Eagle-Owl
LC

Verreaux's Eagle-Owl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bubo lacteus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Spotted Eagle-Owl
LC

Spotted Eagle-Owl

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Bubo africanus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
African Wood-Owl
LC

African Wood-Owl

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Strix woodfordii

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Waterberg Plateau Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
~50%
2 Niokolo-Koba National Park 🇸🇳 Senegal
~40%
3 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~40%
4 Meru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~30%
5 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~20%
6 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~20%
7 Etosha National Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
~20%
8 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~20%
9 Samburu National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
~20%
10 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~20%
11 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~20%
12 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
13 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
14 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
~10%
15 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
~10%
16 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
17 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
~10%
18 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
19 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
~10%
20 Amboseli National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
21 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
22 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
23 Lower Zambezi National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
~10%
24 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
25 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
26 Namib-Naukluft National Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
~10%
27 Pilanesberg National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
28 Awash National Park 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
<5%
29 Nairobi National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
30 Mana Pools National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
<5%
31 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
<5%
32 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
33 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
<5%
34 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
35 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
36 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
<5%
37 Lake Nakuru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
38 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
39 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Pearl-spotted Owlet in Nairobi National Park?

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Pearl-spotted Owlet sighting in Nairobi National Park, based on 57 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Pearl-spotted Owlet in Nairobi National Park?

July has the highest sighting rate for Pearl-spotted Owlet in Nairobi National Park in our monthly data.

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